Friday, June 12, 2009

So, we went on this cruise...

I'm not really sure how to approach the details of our trip, since reading travelogues are not my favorite thing to do. I think I like writing them even less. But, I did get a few photos edited, and they're all of the first day, so a travelogue it is. (Sorry to all of you who share my dislike of such things. Perhaps I'm an anomaly, though, and everyone else LOVES them!)

Let me preface all cruise-talk by telling you that Joel has always been completely against cruises. Whenever I would mention that I thought it would be a fun thing to do, he would shoot it down. If any of our friends ever went on a cruise, he would tell me how stupid a vacation that would be and that he would never go. Ever. End of discussion. He really can be so stubborn sometimes.

Well, a few months ago my mom called me and told me that she and my dad were planning on going on an Alaskan cruise and she had found a really great deal and would Joel and I like to join her? Of course, I was all for it, but I was a little worried about what Joel would say, considering his anti-cruise platform. He was out of town at the time, but I called him and mentioned it to him. If it had been anywhere but Alaska, I'm pretty sure he would have said no way, but since he's always wanted to see Alaska, this seemed like a pretty good way to do it. We were planning a big trip of some sort this year, since we'll be celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary on June 26 and this was the right price. I realize some people might think it's weird to spend an anniversary trip with one's parents, but my parents are super fun and we loved every minute of being with them.

I don't know that we would have gone had we realized we would be moving across the country shortly after we returned, but I'm actually really glad we did it, even if the money might have been more practically used for moving expenses. It was wonderful, and guess who has been converted to cruising? That's right. Mr. Joel has actually spent a few hours on the internet since we've been home researching different cruise lines and places to go. So, I again have hope that I will be able to go on cruises in my life. After we win the lottery, of course.

Anyway, moving on with the actual cruise. On May 31, we flew up to Seattle and went straight to the dock and boarded the M/S Westerdam (Holland America Line). We boarded fairly early, so we had a lot of time to explore the ship, eat the best hamburger I've ever had in my life, and relax on the Lido deck while we waited for our rooms to be ready.

I didn't take a ton of pictures on that first day. Just a few of Seattle as the ship started leaving the dock. I have a thing for skylines. I love them. And who can resist something so glorious as Mt. Rainier?

Once our rooms were ready, we spent some time unpacking and doing more ship exploring. I checked out a book from the ship's library and read on the deck until dinner. Our dinners were in the Vista Dining Room and our table was right by the window with a beautiful view of the ocean (obviously). I ordered salmon, and in case you were wondering, it was quite good.

After dinner, my mom and I went to the spa and got ourselves some facials, after which we just hung out with Joel and my dad. Joel was in heaven as soon as he found the ping-pong tables, so naturally, that's what he spent most of his time doing.

Lara Neves

Lara is mom to three daughters—two teens and a tween. She loves to share her parenting and homemaking triumphs and failures here at Overstuffed! She was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2015 and has been fighting it ever since. When she isn't working on her mother of the year award, you can find her reading, singing, or taking photos.

I was sort of anti-cruise before I went on the "Amazing Cheney Crusie 2008" because I thought it was a sneaky way of touring. I thought I wouldn't be able to get much of the real thing, just a tourist's version. I was only half wrong.

But I thoroughly enjoyed the entire cruise experience (except the drinking and HORRIBLE entertainment). The food was great, the accommodations were great, and it was especially fun because three of my husband's brothers and their wives went too!

Sounds (& looks) great. Matt and I went on a cruise, and it was ok, but I think it would have been more enjoyable if we'd had another couple there with us. Or, if we were into drinking, sunbathing or gambling. :)

So glad you had such a spectacular view of Rainier that day! (Great photos, by the way!) He's only visible 30% of the time, after all.

I'm not normally a cruise person, either, but I think that for Alaska it'd be a great way to go. And I wonder if you were on the same ship as the Tailor's aunt and uncle—they took an Alaska cruise at the same time! Looking forward to reading more about your trip (I love travelogues, by the way!).

Beautiful photos...I have wanted to go on a cruise for years and since I live 5 minutes from the beach, Alaska sounds so good and fun ! Don't worry about the travelogue style...just do what I do, post the photos and caption a few and you're done !

Mike and I just love cruises. We are totally sold on them. You can't beat it, everything is taken care of for you, your food, lodging, entertainment. It is great. We have never been to Alaska though. Was it super hard to watch what you eat on the cruise, or did you not worry about it? I know the food is fabulous and that would be hard.

Holland America is what we took when we did our Alaskan Cruise too! Loved it! What was the reason behind Joel's anti-cruise platform (I get the same questions with my anti-Walmart platform). Just wondering. Chris wasn't really interested in doing a cruise either, but since I was pregnant with Mikelle at the time, it would have been difficult with shots and all getting a passport, so other than Canada, we had to stay domestic for our big trip in 2000. But now, he's sold on cruises and wants to do one in the Mediterranean! Don't know when and how that's going to happen, but with him wanting to as well, we're one step closer. Wanna come with us? lol (sure you do, but the four of us would have to figure out a way to PAY for it, right ?)

You know I've never been on a cruise. Have always wanted to though. My parents went on an Alaskan cruise a couple of years ago and LOVED it. I think Tony is the same way as Joel WAS (aren't you glad you can say was now? :) I would have to talk him into it. I love Seattle too...it's one of my favorite places actually. The pics are just gorgeous!! And happy 10th- CONGRATS!

How fun! I just was asked by Jeff why we aren't going on a cruise for our anniversary. I told him we will for our 10th. So I have a question for you- are spa treatments included or are they one of the extras?? Because that sounds like the very best thing to do and even better for being on a cruise.

My huscand wouldn't have ever thought of a cruise as a vacation - how boring! But wehn he heard (from me) that Jenny Phillips was going to be on a Western CArribean cruise, he said "let's go!" Usually I am the miser who say we can't afford it, and maybe he was counting on that, but this time I did sign us up. And guess what? He loved it, too. So if we ever win the lottery, we will go on another cruise, too.:~D